I’m planning to buy a Moog Matriarch and I have a question about Expert Sleepers ES-8 in conjunction with VCV Rack.
I know that the ES-8 is an audio interface. Will the ES-8 handle the audio routed to its inputs or outputs and will I be able to use another sound card to monitor and record the sound?
I wonder this because I see that the ES-8 don’t have any headphone or stereo out. How does it work?
I would check out the ES-9 for this 
more flexible!
Yes, its true but its also more expensive. I already have an Analog Heat and a Digitone that I could use as a sound card if that’s possible.
The biggest advantage with the Es 9 is you can assign cv and audio which would be very handy for VCV. Also if it is in a rack it becomes more portable. Food for thought! If you want just cv the shuttle control by endorphin.es is a great option too! Also if you are running a mac if would be easy government run as an aggregate device with another sound card
Okay, can you explain how you mean? I can’t do that with the ES-8? I am totally new to modular and trying to learn as much as possible. 
I have an ES-8 and a couple of Focusrite Scarlett’s set up as an aggregate audio device in macOS. The ES-8 handles audio and CV while the Focusrites handle headphones and monitors.
Okay, thanks man! That’s what I suspected. Does the ES-8 operating smoothly when you use it in conjunction with your scarlett sound card?
Yes. I’ve not had any issues using the ES-8 as part of an aggregate device. I just need to keep track of all the inputs and outputs!
Okay, nice. I am going to create an aggregate device of my sound cards. I didn’t know that it’s possible to create an aggregate device. This is really neat!
aggregated devices are ok but can introduce extra latency since its not one source, for an es setup the ideal scenario imo would be to get an es 8 and a soundcard with adat ouputs
Assuming you’re using macOS, it’s a simple process:
You’ll also need to configure your ins/outs in your DAW preferences.
at least under macos you can run vcv with several soundcards (or the built in headphone output of your mac. just place another output module on your vcv rack and choose a different device — without the need of an aggregated device in the macos setup.
dont know, if this works under windows too. but vcv announced that running different audio devices at the same time will be possible (and improoved) with the upcoming vcv rack 2.0 in spring.
otherwise you can always add a headphone amp as an eurorack module to the es-8.
I’m under macos, so this sounds really neat! Does this work flawlessly under macos in VCV?
When exactly do they plan to release VCV 2.0?
i tested it one afternoon and it worked
anyway: to connect a pc to eurorack, the es8 or es9 are the way to go. if you have the space and no headphone module yet, choose the es9, its well worth the extra price. if this seems too expensive, you should probably stay away from eurorack anyway, because its a deep money sink.
you can read whats going on with vcv development here: https://community.vcvrack.com/t/rack-development-blog/5864/48
there he writes about the upcomming usage of different audio drivers, at the moment under macos, i can use several interfaces that only need a class compliant usb driver (which the es8 is)
Yeah, I know, I just try to be smart and save some cash if it’s possible. I wanted to see if the ES-8 would work because I already have a DN, Analog Heat and a Roland VT-4 that all have a built in sound cards. I plan to be cost effective when it comes to modular and not buy too expensive modules. For example Behringers planned modules that will be released in the near future.
But with that said the ES-9 seams to be the better choice.
Thanks!
